Experience trailering LARGE boats?

[duped]

Looking to take the next step up this spring on the big lake. Have looked a few tempting 27' and 30' sea rays (10 and 11.6ft beams, respectively ), on triple axle bunk trailers. I know there is a few on this site who trailer boats of this size, and was looking for some insights as to how much longer it takes to launch, permits, what you hate about it, tips and tricks...and other difficulties you've had. Things I may not have thought of.

I'm not slipping it so it will be moving on the trailer at least twice a week. I dont have a far drive to the lake, and I have a cummins ram with 4.10 gears, so truck wise I'm more than capable. Also, I fully understand the added expenses a bigger boat brings.

I dont want anyone to talk me out of it, per se, but I would like to hear any real life experiences, so I dont learn anything the hard way ( although I know thats usually the best way to learn with boats )

Any comments will be helpful. Thanks.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

If that ram is a 1 ton dually you may be more than capable. If it's a 1 ton srw you may be capable and if it's a 3/4 ton you may be marginal... I don't mess with permits but I'm not gonna tell you not to. Did you read the recent thread "too big"? we pretty much covered this there last week.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

Also, if your truck isn't a 4x4, you MAY have trouble dragging nearly 20,000 lbs of combined weight up a potentially slick ramp

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

Is there anyway possible you could buy a parking spot by the ramp you use? I can't imagine the headache and expense of moving something that is 11.6 wide twice a week... Chances are the boat is going to see water 4 or 5 times max, and then never moved again.

 

[impatico]

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

apparently a 1 ton SRW 2wd will can pull more than a DRW 4x4 not payload just pulling.

as for experiences I have pulled many loads off all kinds and all I can say it take your time, be prepared as EVERYONE is going to want to pass you, and dodges have the worst tranny on the block so keep an eye on trans temp. Use your tow haul mode. exhaust brake helps if you have one. I have a power programmer so you have to make sure it's not set too high with that trans.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

apparently a 1 ton SRW 2wd will can pull more than a DRW 4x4 not payload just pulling.

as for experiences I have pulled many loads off all kinds and all I can say it take your time, be prepared as EVERYONE is going to want to pass you, and dodges have the worst tranny on the block so keep an eye on trans temp. Use your tow haul mode. exhaust brake helps if you have one. I have a power programmer so you have to make sure it's not set too high with that trans.

Just off the top of my head, I think my 4WD's capacity was less than the same Ram 1500 in 2WD.
I think the difference was pretty close to the weight of an axle, drive shaft, and a transfer case.

 

[O-fishal]

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

I have a 28ft Trophy with a 10ft beam and I find that I use my boat 2-3x's more if it is moored than trailered, last year I trailered and it was just a PITA to hook up drive to the launch, unload, hook up the gear go out for the day, return to the ramp, pack up the gear load on the trailer drive home clean the boat clean the fish etc. When its moored I just drive to the dock unlock the boat untie and away we go. Oh and there is 500lds more cargo capacity in a DRW dodge over the SRW I have both. 48RE auto trans is the one you want or the manual stay away from the 47RE

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

Your biggest issue is towing it to the ramp.

It's not any harder to launch or load a bigger boat. Sometimes it's even easier than a smaller one.

4x4 sure would be nice (I always want it), but as long as the ramp is good you should be fine.

As long as your good with the tow there I'd go for it.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

Looking to take the next step up this spring on the big lake. Have looked a few tempting 27' and 30' sea rays (10 and 11.6ft beams, respectively ), on triple axle bunk trailers. I know there is a few on this site who trailer boats of this size, and was looking for some insights as to how much longer it takes to launch, permits, what you hate about it, tips and tricks...and other difficulties you've had. Things I may not have thought of.

I'm not slipping it so it will be moving on the trailer at least twice a week. I dont have a far drive to the lake, and I have a cummins ram with 4.10 gears, so truck wise I'm more than capable. Also, I fully understand the added expenses a bigger boat brings.

I dont want anyone to talk me out of it, per se, but I would like to hear any real life experiences, so I dont learn anything the hard way ( although I know thats usually the best way to learn with boats )

Any comments will be helpful. Thanks.

I see your ( sig ) indicates you are from Wisc. You have a vehicle that will pull it. How far is not far? What are the laws there on overwidth loads? How forgiving are the enforcement people on no permits? You are going to get all of the people that say i did this and i did that and probably they did. I do it but i do it three times a year, 10 miles each direction. ( 12000 lbs ) 10.6 width. I am just letting you know what to look out for as doing it the legal way because it could get expensive quick.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

I tow a 27 foot Wellcraft. The only things I'd like to add are 1- Don't be in a hurry to get to the lake; leave plenty of room between you and the car in front of you, and if you are getting passed by or are passing a tractor-trailer, be prepared for some trailer sway. 2- Launching is not too hard, but loading can be tricky.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

I will add, I live in the country and the only difficulty I have is the trees on my narrow county road..... the county doesn't trim them like they do on highways.... I have several places that I have to be in the left lane so often I have to stop and wait for oncoming traffic. My radar arch is 13' high and many of the trees are 10-11'.... I'm NOT willing to just drag through the trees... UGH!

I used to have a little trouble loading but side bunk guides and bunk slicks make it just as easy as a jetski Supernova, I'd strongly suggest both of those if you don't have them although I can't recommend brands because both of mine are "Smokebuilt" lol

 

[hog88]

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

We have a 27 footer with an 8'6" beam, no problems towing or launching. It was a pain to get back on the trailer with the dinky winch that came on the trailer. Changed that and started using a silicon spray on the bunks, loads in no time now. Even my wife can crank her up to the stop.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

I used to have a little trouble loading but side bunk guides and bunk slicks make it just as easy as a jetski Supernova, I'd strongly suggest both of those if you don't have them although I can't recommend brands because both of mine are "Smokebuilt" lol

My trailer is a load-rite roller. The side bunks are ineffectual on a lot of the ramps I use due to the steepness of the ramps. I don't really have much trouble personally, and I prefer to load and unload by myself, but I know a lot of people who do have trouble so the potential is definitely there. In fact, usually the only time I do have trouble is when someone insists on helping me through the process.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

hate to be a naysayer but I'm with those who think you won't be using the boat much. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. if you can't moor it, or rack it, at least get a dry slip.

The comment about the trees in the way is worth the price of admission right there. I wouldn't have thought abuot it but it's crucial.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

it's all a matter of the mindset of the individual.... I know people who wouldn't go boating if they had to drive anything bigger than a civic to the marina and then there's people like me that actually enjoy pulling into a busy gas station with 60' of truck and boat while EVERYONE stops and stares LOL

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

Wanna watch a guy really struggle loading a 36' contender on a trailer?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MulmGIjwFE














'fraid I can't help ya LOL

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

I've preached this gospel in other threads, and I will do it again here...USE WHEEL CHOCKS! Cut a 4X4 piece of treated lumber into 18 inch lengths, and have someone put them behind your tires before putting the tranny in park and releasing the brake pedal while backed down the ramp. This applies while launching and retrieving. Don't be THAT GUY who ends up on YouBoob with his fancy truck in the drink!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

Good point SS

that's one place where 4x4 helps too.... front tires help prevent slipping and low range reduces force on park pawl by over 60%

wheel chocks ARE a great precaution but I launch and load alone so I have my parking brake working perfect and use low range

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

I am another one that likes to trailer the boat back and fourth I have just steped up to a 26' cruiser so we will see how launching and loading goes but I agree with not wanting to slip it. I also normaly put the truck in 4x4 to let the front tires help hold it in park. I did not know that 4 low takes 60% off the park paw.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Experience trailering LARGE boats?

hate to be a naysayer but I'm with those who think you won't be using the boat much. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. if you can't moor it, or rack it, at least get a dry slip.

The comment about the trees in the way is worth the price of admission right there. I wouldn't have thought abuot it but it's crucial.

We towed our 19ft the first year and only live 1/4 mi from the ramp!

The logic was simple, load up, drive down the road, dunk the boat, and be on the water before most people even have their canvas off... In my head, it was a "rolling boat lift".

Issue is, you arent just going "boating", but your also going "towing" everytime, simply having our TV out of commission due to a brake issue stopped boating for a week... Coming home and the neighbors are having a party and people are parked on both sides of the road= no where to go... The whole opperation puts the hold on going out for just a quick evening or early morning run. Add up how much fuel your TV will likely use at 8-10MPG going back and forth to the ramp rather going empty or in a cheep car (in my case a Civic).

I generally added 5 gallons of fuel every few trips out but for the few times a year I really ran the gas I towed it out, filled it up and gave it a wash.